Jumbo secures PCBL semis berth

JUMBO Plastic leaned on the backcourt duo of James Martinez and Jeff Viernes as it repulsed Sta. Lucia, 80-61, Wednesday to clinch an automatic semifinal berth in the PCBL Chairman’s Cup at Marikina Sports Center.

Finding their range from beyond the arc, Martinez, the former University of the East star, and two-time NAASCU Most Valuable Player Viernes combined for 42 points as the Linoleum Giants finished second behind Mighty Sports with an 8-4 card.

Martinez and Viernes combined for eight of Jumbo Plastic’s 10 treys that helped put away the Realtors, who fell to sixth spot with the loss.

“At least we got what we wanted,” said Jumbo Plastic coach Stevenson Tiu. “For me, this campaign is more competitive because of the imports.”

Mighty Sports wound up with a
10-2 card at the end of the elimination round following an 87-79 win over Byaheng SCTEX in the second game.

The loss relegated SCTEX to third spot in the quarterfinal round, where it will face Sta. Lucia in a best-of-three series. Foton and Euro-Med clash in the other quarterfinal series.

Arvie Bringas and Nigerian reinforcement Bright Akhuetie scored 14 points each for Mighty. Cedelf P. Tupas